Polymer Bulletin, Vol.67, No.3, 467-478, 2011
Azo-polymers modified with nucleobases and their interactions with DNA molecules
The photo-fluidization process which is specific for azo-materials opens a new perspective for their use in the field of molecules nano manipulation at the surface of the azo polymer films. This is possible considering that in the case of the UV irradiation from a polarized laser source the azo material has an unidirectional flow. Here, we investigated the structuring phenomena occurring on the surface of the azo-polysiloxanes films modified with nucleobases, upon UV irradiation. Measurements of topography and adhesive forces between polymeric substrates and a hydrophilic probe have been done by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The response of the material upon irradiation has been investigated also by using UV-VIS spectroscopy. This method allowed us to draw the photo-isomerization and relaxation curves. Also, preliminary tests were conducted to determine the capacity of the film surface to immobilize DNA molecules.